Birthday Greetings to a Forumist

[Ian Y]

A very happy birthday from me you old Bu-----r.
They say that 60 is the new 40 so have no worries have a great day and keep forever young.

[ranunculus]

....And talking of birthdays....the East Lancashire Group of the Alpine Garden Society celebrate their 20th Anniversary tomorrow evening (Monday 11th December) with a special Group meeting featuring the Jim Lever Memorial Lecture presented by the excellent Jim Jermyn and entitled 'The challenge of growing some of Europe's finest alpines'. The meeting, to be held at our usual venue of Ramsbottom Civic Hall, near Bury, Lancashire, begins at 7.45pm (Doors open at 7pm) and a superb evening is in prospect. All members, past and present, are invted to attend.

                  Happy Birthday East Lancs

                                                                                      

[Maggi Young]

Bother, I think I've missed the last bus to ramsbottom. Never mind, I'll be with you in spirit to celebrate the Group's birthday and the fond memory of the late lamented Jim Lever. Cheers, to you all!

 

[ranunculus]

ALPINE GARDEN SOCIETY
EAST LANCASHIRE LOCAL GROUP

REPORT FOR PUBLICATION

The East Lancashire Group of the Alpine Garden Society celebrated their twentieth anniversary in style on Monday 11th December 2006. This flourishing horticultural group, which has been based at the Civic Hall in Ramsbottom, near Bury, since their inception in 1986, attracts members from across the county and beyond.  Seventy five hardy souls braved the recent bad weather to enjoy an evening of alpine excellence which featured a memorable Jim Lever Memorial Lecture entitled ‘The challenge of growing some of Europe’s finest alpines’ presented by renowned nurseryman and media personality; Jim Jermyn from Berwickshire.
A special anniversary cake was produced and members enjoyed the usual mix of plant, seed and book sales; a monthly raffle; free parking; light refreshments and that very special East Lancashire atmosphere.
The Group, which has organised a National Alpine Flower Show in March each year, has just announced a superb new venue for their major event to be held in 2007.  The Alpine Garden Society have endorsed the staging of one of their premier show events at the Leisure Hall in Bacup, Rossendale on Saturday 24th March 2007 and this marvellous gardening event should attract exhibitors, nurserymen and horticultural visitors from all over the country. 
The Group invites members old and new to join them for their next group meeting to be held on Monday 8th January 2007 which begins at 7.45pm at the Civic Hall in the centre of Ramsbottom and features a spectacular illustrated lecture on ‘Patagonian Alpines’; presented by Dr Martin Sheader from Southampton.
Further details of all Group events are available from the Group Secretary; Cliff Booker, 11 Horsefield Avenue, Tonacliffe Park, Whitworth. Lancashire. OL12 8SW.
The illustration to accompany this article features:- Group Chairman; Shelagh Smethurst from Bury and guest lecturer; Jim Jermyn cutting the 20th anniversary celebration cake at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on Monday 11th December 2006.
Photos by Cliff Booker : East Lancashire Group Secretary.

Image One : Guest Lecturer Jim Jermyn and East Lancashire Group Chairman Shelagh Smethurst
Image Two : Keith, Tim and Rachel Lever and Jim Jermyn
Image Three : The beautiful (and delicious) celebration cake

[Lesley Cox]

A very realistic trough Cliff. What are the stone chippings made from?

[Maggi Young]

Good question that, Lesley. I thought for a moment that they looked like little cubes of ham... but that doesn't really go with cake, does it? I don't think the flowers are edible, are they?
I remember fondly seeing a wonderfull photo of a Dionysia cake, perfect in every detail, covered in tiny sugar flowers, made for a celebration of an AGS event, as I recall, in Ireland.. I believe it had been made by the talented Mrs Sevastopulo... is that Rose? I apologise for not remembering properly the name of this charming lady, wife of George; I have met her, too, I should know better.

Then there was the wonderful Jubilee cake made for the Diamond jubilee ofthe SRGC by Margaret Taylor and cut by then President, now Honorary President, Mrs Bette Ivey and founder SRGC Member Bill Mackenzie at the Discussion weekend in St Andrews in 1993. Bill, he of "clematis Bill Mackenzie" fame, inter alia, has passed on now, though his wit and spirit inspire us still.
Our esteemed HP, Bette, is as busy now, promoting the SRGC wherever she goes ( and she goes everywhere, I promise you!) as she was in her term of office. We could not have a better ambassador...and she loves cake! How did I get in to this cake thread? It's made me hungry!

[Lesley Cox]

Well Maggi, just a few more days to wait.....

[Maggi Young]

Yippee!

You don't get a figure like mine by stinting yourself!!

P.S. Ian says he thinks the East Lancs chippings are chopped up chocolate. Pink Chocolate? !!!

My cake fixation apart... lovely to see these good friends from East Lancs celebrating with Gentleman Jim Jermyn. We were sorry not to have Shelagh and Brian Smethurst's company at the SRGC Discussion weekend as usual this October... hope you are both very well, Shelagh looks fab, as ever.

[ranunculus]

Very technical questions ladies!
Imagine asking a former (but hugely inferior) Pudsey Pig contestant about the ingredients of a certain dish....as a contestant one was not allowed the time to worry about such things....one just shovelled it in and then moved on to the next helping.
Suffice it to say that the entire anniversary cake was eaten, flowers, foliage, grit and all....and delicious it was too!
I will ask about the 'grit', but can only presume it was composed of beautifully crafted chippings of coloured icing.
Regards to all,
Cliff

[Paddy Tobin]

Maggi,
Yes, the Mrs. Sevastopulo is indeed 'Rose'. Your memory serves you well. Rose and George are stalwarts of the Dublin branch of the AGS and Rose was for many many years, more than she would wish to admit, the Executive Assistant of the Irish Garden Plant Society, an orgainisation very similar in aims to your NCCPG.

That alpine trough cake is a masterpiece - pity to eat it!

Paddy

[fermi de Sousa]

The one AGS Show I got to see when visiting the UK in 1997 was Sussex in October. Imagine my surprise to see a special table displaying a range of SPRING flowering bulbs and alpines! On closer inspection (I think I actually had to be told) they all turned out to be "sugar craft" and very crafty they were too! I don't think anyone could bear to eat them, they were exquisite!
cheers
fermi
Off to the office Christmas Party soon so don't expect any more posts for a day or so!

[Maggi Young]

Another Birthday to celebrate today! Not only a Forumist, but the man without whom none of this would be happening, Mr Admin himself!
MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY, FRED !! Hope you are not completely frozen up there on your hillside.... luckily, the heat from the candles on your birthday cake should keep the whole family warm for a day or two.
ALL OUR LOVE AND BEST WISHES FOR A GREAT DAY!

[Anthony Darby]

I didn't know Fred lived in Yorkshire?

[David Nicholson]

Many Happies Admin(Fred)

[Thomas Huber]

Happy Birthday down South to Dave Toole!!!!